Bhubaneswar: Passengers with travel history of UK and transiting through the airports in UK and returning to Odisha will be advised to remain in mandatory 14 days home quarantine with self-monitoring and periodic monitoring by the Rapid Response Team.
This is part of the SOP released by Odisha government as per the protocols issued by the Centre following detection of mutated strain of novel coronavirus in UK.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has already ordered for cancellation of all flights originating from the UK to India from 11.59 pm December 22 till 11.59 pm on December 31. Consequently, flights from India to the UK will also stand suspended during the period.
“A distinct Phylogenetic cluster of SARs-CoV-2(named lineage B.1.1.7) has been detected in UK which is spreading and growing rapidly. At the time when the number of COVID positive cases is declining steadily in the State, any interjection of a SARS-CoV-2 variant virus through passengers with air travel history may pose critical risks for management of the pandemic in the State,” a notification issued by the State Health and Family Welfare Department read.
Hence, in view of the emerging situation, passengers with travel history of UK and transiting through the airports in UK within last 14 days of the arrival at the airport will have to to fill up the Self Declaration Form.
They will be advised to remain in mandatory 14 days home quarantine with self-monitoring and periodic monitoring by the Rapid Response Team.
If any such person is found symptomatic within the quarantine period, RTPCR test will be conducted. If he/she is tested positive, he/she will be isolated in an institutional isolation facility and advised for treatment as per the protocol.
If the person is tested negative, he/she will be advised to complete the 14days home quarantine period.
“It is therefore, requested to ensure strict adherence to the SoP issued by Ministry of H&FW, Gol with mandatory screening of the persons with travel history of UK and necessary follow up action for prevention of the spread of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the State,” the notification added.